Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations

Former San Francisco Mayor Brown Files To Run for Insurance Commissioner

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (D) on Thursday filed papers in Sacramento to run for state insurance commissioner in 2006, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Brown filed papers with the secretary of state's office establishing the Willie Brown for State Insurance Commissioner Committee and filed a statement declaring his intent to run for the office. The committee allows Brown to begin raising funds and "testing the waters for a campaign," the Chronicle reports. According to the Chronicle, Brown currently has about $800,000 in a political account from a previous campaign that "can be quickly transferred into another statewide campaign." The announcement "came as a surprise" to Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D), who has begun to raise money to campaign for re-election or another statewide office, the Chronicle reports. "Brown is always full of surprises, and he's a great friend," Garamendi said in a brief statement, declining to comment further. Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento), who also has filed to run for state insurance commissioner and has raised $400,000 for her campaign, said the move "makes sense" for Brown, adding, "I think he'll be one of many Democrats to file" (Wildermuth/Hubbell, San Francisco Chronicle, 7/16).

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